Hey everyone, just got a heck of a deal on a really nice and well maintained Ford 2000 4 cylinder in great shape. I live in Northeast Ohio and my fiancé and I just got our first farm. I'm looking to put a FEL loader on it. I know many models that fit the 730 being the one that came on it + the heavy duty industrial version of that loader plus all the Bush Hog models that fit but my question is what was loader did/do you like best on that tractor? I know you gotta add some weight to the back. I'll mainly be using it for horse manure and moving some dirt. Not going to be doing any major digging, heaviest thing it would see is some stone to move around in the dry lot for the horses and maybe some gravel for the driveway whenever it needs re done but that's it. I've researched and know what models fit I just want to know what models you think worked best for you. I don't want to do any custom fabricating I'd like to be able to buy the brackets the loader would need for the Ford 2000.
Tractor Therapy
New member
Congrats on your purchase! Great tractors! In my experience this may be a tall order, particularly give the fact that you prefer not to fabricate. Even if you are able to perform the labor and transportation necessary to properly equip the machine with a loader, when all is said and done you'll have a 50-year old tractor. A new, aftermarket loader will be hard not only hard to come by, but will likely cost as much as $7,500 or more including installation, a lot of money to spend on a tractor that age.
Consider a three-point hitch reversible scoop for occasional material handling, and should a large project come along consider renting or perhaps upgrading at that time.
Here is a link to a prior post that I thought might prove useful:
Using my dirt scoop
Not a recommendation for any seller, just for reference:
Taylor Pittsburgh Field General 30 inch Reversible Dirt Scoop 233 DS 30
Consider a three-point hitch reversible scoop for occasional material handling, and should a large project come along consider renting or perhaps upgrading at that time.
Here is a link to a prior post that I thought might prove useful:
Using my dirt scoop
Not a recommendation for any seller, just for reference:
Taylor Pittsburgh Field General 30 inch Reversible Dirt Scoop 233 DS 30
Thank you for your honest reply, I've found some used aftermarket loaders for around 3000 - 3500. I guess I may just have to have someone fabricate some brackets for me, may be the cheapest route. I'll just have to take measurements and find a FEL that will fit if I cannot find an original Ford 730 loader.
Tractor Therapy
New member
Appreciate your follow up. Might want to check with Wenger's.
How will you be using the tractor? It may be an opportunity to take a step back and be sure that once the loader in on the tractor that it is the right one for you. For example, the 730 will not have a quick attach mechanism for the loader itself or the bucket, so pallet forks are out, unless you want to spend another $1,000 or so converting to QT faceplate. That is just one consideration.
Depending upon workload, you may be able to get along just fine with a good-sized compact tractor, and could possible find one in good shape and trade yours in for little more than what you may have to spend retrofitting a loader.
Just my two cents-worth!
Drew
Wengers - Farm Equipment, Tractor Parts, Construction, Motorcycles
How will you be using the tractor? It may be an opportunity to take a step back and be sure that once the loader in on the tractor that it is the right one for you. For example, the 730 will not have a quick attach mechanism for the loader itself or the bucket, so pallet forks are out, unless you want to spend another $1,000 or so converting to QT faceplate. That is just one consideration.
Depending upon workload, you may be able to get along just fine with a good-sized compact tractor, and could possible find one in good shape and trade yours in for little more than what you may have to spend retrofitting a loader.
Just my two cents-worth!
Drew
Wengers - Farm Equipment, Tractor Parts, Construction, Motorcycles
I'm going to be using the tractor basically just to move manure and round bales occasionally with a 3 point spear (I got weights for the front) not traveling a far distance. Also I'll be moving some dirt and gravel here and there but mainly need the loader for manure.
I actually just won a bank auction I got a Bush Hog 2400QT for $500. Sandblast and a coat of paint and it will look great. I do have to get brackets fabricated but that shouldn't be hard and I need to get a PTO pump + the hydraulic oil reservoir but when all is said and done for the price I should have a nice loader for around $1200
The tractor is in great shape and we got it for a steal that's the only reason I don't want to trade it in an get a compact. I'm 30 but man am I a fan of the older tractors, there's just something about an old tractor compared to these new ones. Got to figure out where I want to mount the PTO pump and also where I'm going to mount the hydraulic oil reservoir.